And both were told that although their evidence had helped police investigate the case, they were guilty of serious crimes.

Intizar Hussain and Mohammed Arif Siddiq were each given 15-month sentences for conspiracy to commit criminal damage to motor cars.

But they were given some leniency by Judge Andrew Smith at Leeds Crown Court, when he said their vital evidence had helped the prosecution convict three men of killing eight members of the Chishti family.

Siddiq, 29, of Walkley Terrace, Heckmondwike, was also sentenced to 21 months consecutive for violent disorder, arising from an incident in Newcastle which sparked off the Birkby crime.

He and others kidnapped a young couple who had run away from Huddersfield.

And the gang then later targeted 18-year-old Ateeq-ur-Rehman at his home in Osborne Road, Birkby, believing he was to be a witness against them.

Siddiq and Hussain, 25, of Clifton Road, Marsh, were both told they must serve half their sentences for the Huddersfield crime, with half suspended.

The judge said: "I am sure there was never any plan to cause trivial damage. Your plan was always to do serious damage and to cause real fear to Ateeq.

"The plan developed into something more sinister and tragic.

"I have no doubt both of you gave untruthful evidence to some extent during the trial but it was your statements to the police which were a real breakthrough in their investigations into these crimes."

One of the survivors of the petrol bomb attack, Muhammed Shafique, was in court to hear the sentencing.

He said: "There is some relief it brings it all to an end and that more people have been locked away.

"All five of these people are now in prison and the one who is still on the run will hopefully be brought to justice."

Today's hearing marked the end of the lengthy legal proceedings against a gang of men who carried out the attack.

Shaied Iqbal, 26, of Springdale Street, Thornton Lodge, was found guilty of eight murders and given eight life sentences. Shakiel Shazad, 23, of Gledholt Road, Gledholt, and Nazar Hussain, 24, of Dryclough Road, Crosland Moor, were both convicted of eight counts of manslaughter and given 18-year sentences on each count.

But another man, Shahid Mohammed, 21, vanished during the police inquiry and is still on the run.

The fire in May last year claimed the lives of 18-year-old Ateeq-ur-Rehman, his mother Mrs Zaib-u-Nisi, his sister Nafeesa and his five young nieces - Tayyaba, 13, Rabiah, 10, Ateeqa, six, Aneesa, two, and Najeeba, 13 months.